West Seattle, Washington
27 Tuesday
From last night’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting – news of a candidates’ forum in a nearby neighborhood, air-traffic-research updates, and the latest business spotlight – read on for the toplines:Read More
ORIGINAL 5:18 PM UPDATE: Our partners at the Seattle Times are reporting that charges have been filed against two men in connection with the May 25th beating of a teenager in Highland Park. According to the Times report, they are the same two men questioned by police the morning the teenager was found beaten and bloodied, saying his attackers had made racist remarks (here’s our June report with the narrative from the police report); the report also says they are charged with robbery and malicious harassment, and that they are not in custody (which our check of the jail register confirms). We are looking up the court documents and will add more to the story when we get them.
7:05 PM UPDATE: One of the suspects is now booked into jail – 21-year-old Jonathan Baquiring was jailed less than an hour ago, according to the King County Jail Register.
7:27 PM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Norm James is talking more about the case at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, which we’re covering right now at the precinct. He says the Anti-Crime Team picked up Baquiring within an hour of getting word of the warrant, which seeks to have both (the other is 22-year-old Ahmed Y. Mohamed) held in lieu of half a million dollars bail each.
10:35 PM UPDATE: We now have downloaded the court documents. While most of the narrative is exactly the same as the original police report transcribed in our June report and linked above, this one contains, in the charging paperwork, the statement: “The only motivation for the defendants appears to have been money and the race of the victim” (the “malicious harassment” charge acknowledges the fact it’s an alleged hate crime). And there is information about the DNA evidence – read on:Read More
Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning. First, Howard in North Admiral is asking that you be on the lookout for his stolen car, a graphite-gray 2010 Subaru Outback 3.6R (which would look like this), license plate starting with AAV, taken from outside his home in the 3700 block of SW Grayson (map) late last night or early today. He believes another car nearby was prowled at the same time; call police (206-625-5011) if you have any information. Also, via Facebook, Regan reports a car prowl at 112th & Marine View Drive (map), with some items from the car “found down the street.”
(added 11:52 am) Shortly after we published this, we received another note about car prowls, and it makes more sense to add it here than to publish a separate item: Someone smashed the window of Brian’s 2008 Chevy Avalanche overnight, in the 7100 block of Wright (map), north of Lincoln Park. He shared the photo shown at right. The truck was ransacked, with a Bluetooth headset the only item missing. Brian says the same thing happened overnight to a neighbor’s vehicle, and that there have been several other car break-ins in their neighborhood recently.
(back to original 11:10 am report) Also: A West Seattle crime survivor is telling her story: The 68-year-old woman targeted in a “home invasion” robbery in Highland Park on August 26th talked with KING 5, which aired her story last night, after the two suspects’ arraignment:
As the KING report notes, the two suspects, 37-year-old George Augustine, Jr., and 45-year-old Sean Oie, pleaded not guilty. We reported the filing of charges on September 7th, following our story a few days earlier with the lengthy narrative of how police say it happened.
Reminder: West Seattle Crime Prevention Council tonight, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (map).
Two items of note on the agenda for the Seattle Parks Board, meeting at Parks HQ downtown tonight at 7 (agenda here): Board members will review the latest “schematic design” for the new levy-funded park atop the newly covered West Seattle Reservoir in Highland Park, next to Westcrest Park. We just checked with project manager Susanne Rockwell, who says everything’s on schedule for the project to go out to bid in the first quarter of next year, and for construction to be complete by spring 2012. No date yet for a promised open house; the last public design meeting was in June (WSB coverage here). Also, there could be West Seattle effects for a policy change the board will start reviewing tonight – possibly allowing non-tennis uses on “low-use” tennis courts. Here’s the briefing paper; it specifies criteria for determining what’s a “low-use” tennis court, but doesn’t specify which might meet those criteria. (West Seattle’s outdoor tennis courts include Alki, Hiawatha, Solstice/Lincoln Park, and Lowman Beach.) After the board discusses the concept tonight, a public hearing is planned for September 23rd; this link explains how to comment on the idea, any time between now and a scheduled vote in late October.
Charges are now filed against the two men who’ve been jailed in lieu of $1 million bail in connection with the Aug. 26th “home invasion” robbery in Highland Park. 45-year-old Sean Oie and 37-year-old George Augustine, Jr., are each charged with one count of 1st-degree burglary and one count of 1st-degree robbery. On first quick read, the story told in the court documents, regarding what happened and who did what, is the same one we published when Augustine appeared in court; the only additional detail is regarding additional possible suspects – as noted in the previous documents, Augustine claimed that the younger woman who was in the house at the time of the robbery helped set it up, and this set of documents explains that she is Oie’s ex-girlfriend. 
Still no indication of whether she’ll face charges, though, and the documents mention another potential suspect – besides Oie and his ex-girlfriend, Augustine claimed there was one other person involved, described only as a man “nicknamed Wiz.” Augustine also is the man shown in the bank surveillance photos that helped crack the case (at left; we don’t have a photo of Oie but will be seeking one) and as per another claim in the previous documents, prosecutors say this indeed, if resulting in a conviction, would be his “third strike.” Both suspects are due in court on September 20th to answer the charges. ADDED: State prison system’s photo of Augustine, for the record:
Followup to our earlier report of arrests in connection with last week’s “home invasion” robbery on 4th SW in Highland Park: King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe says the 37-year-old Federal Way man who was arrested appeared in court today for a bail hearing — resulting in his bail being set at $1 million — while the 45-year-old Burien man who also was arrested in the case will be in court tomorrow. His record includes convictions for drugs, theft, and possession of stolen property, according to court documents; the younger man’s record includes those same types of convictions as well as robbery cases – and he’s described as a “potential third-strike candidate.” The court documents also include the “probable cause” information detailing what is alleged to have happened in the robbery, and what led police to the suspects – read on for those details:Read More
We reported last week that week that police had released photos (taken at a “nearby” ATM) of a suspect believed to be involved with a “home-invasion” robbery in Highland Park.
Today, Seattle Police report that two suspects were arrested and booked last night, as part of the ongoing investigation:
Arrests made in Highland Park robbery investigation
Robbery Detectives developed information during the course of the investigation that led them to the identity of one of the suspects involved in last week’s home invasion robbery in Highland Park. On September 1, detectives with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force located and arrested a 37 year old suspect at 260th and Pacific Highway South in Des Moines. Robbery Detectives were following up on additional leads at a motel in Federal Way when another suspect wanted in this crime was spotted. He fled when he saw detectives and multiple units responded to the area in an attempt to locate him. The suspect was able to elude capture. At approximately 6:20 PM that 45 year old suspect was located and arrested by Federal Way Police and turned over to the Robbery Detectives. Both suspects were interviewed by detectives and later booked into the King County Jail on Investigation of Robbery. This remains an on going investigation as there may be additional suspects involved.
There was plenty of summer color today, amidst a whisper of autumn, as vendors brought out some cool handicrafts for the final Highland Park Sunday Market of 2010. Organizer Tiffany Silver-Brace was there with her daughter Ava and a table full of wonderful textiles:
Here’s Gina McCauley with her hand-crafted, felted wool Snooter Doots:
Jennifer Bay and Brian Scott were on hand from the super-talented team at Clone Press:
The folks from Party Dogs had their gourmet turkey and fennel dog treats. But the fresh onion bread they baked (for people) looked scrumptious too:
Just like what we spotted in South Park yesterday, artisan pickled vegetables seem to be popping up everywhere this season, like these from Bootleg Canning Company:
The mobile food truck from Street Treats also made an appearance, as did the sun.
One more case you might be able to help solve: Seattle Police are out with photos of one suspect from yesterday morning’s home-invasion robbery in the 7900 block of 4th SW in Highland Park. They say he was photographed while using one of the victim’s cards at a “nearby” ATM:
He is described as an Asian male, 5′ 8″, 165 pounds, average build, wearing eyeglasses and dressed in a hooded sweatshirt. He also has a thin mustache. An ATM camera captured his image while he was attempting to use the victim’s ATM card at a nearby location. The photo images also capture him driving the victim’s stolen white 1995 Ford van, Washington license plate 65327 DP (Disabled plate). The van is wheelchair equipped and has no hubcaps.
You can see two more photos here.
Most neighborhood councils/associations skipped August meetings. But there’s one on the calendar tonight: Highland Park Action Committee. Chair Dan Mullins sent an announcement noting that while there’s nothing huge on the agenda, it’s the perfect time to bring up something new (or unresolved) for discussion. 7 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club building at 12th/Trenton.
As you head back home – if you travel Highland Park Way, please note that there have been two separate incidents involving police and fire in the past hour. One, we know was a crash at HP Way/Holden; the other, 7700 block of HP Way (where it meets 8th), we’re still working to find out.
(Photo courtesy Erik)
4:48 PM: SPD media unit Officer Renee Witt tells us the 2nd incident involved a man in his 70s, apparently disturbed, who was out in the middle of the street. Both of these situations sound like they’re being resolved, but let us know if you see otherwise. Thanks to the multitude of people who e-mailed, texted and FB’ed about this.
The sun that graced the West Seattle Farmers’ Market from the start last weekend may not be there YET today, but the vendors certainly will be. This week’s Ripe and Ready List promises lots of new tree-fruit offerings, among other things. 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska. (Also new this week – Friends of Seattle Public Library will be tabling, along with some of the other great local groups you’ll meet at the market every week.) … West Seattle’s newest market, Highland Park Sunday Market, also is scheduled to be in session today – promising (per its FB page):
Fresh eggs, sourdough bread and starter, fresh herbs and mixed greens, etched kitchenware, awesome t-shirts and household linens, hand-crafted jewelry, homemade desserts and sweet treats, delicious pickled veggies, art projects for kids and homemade dog treats!
11 am-3 pm, 12th/Holden in Highland Park. You also have entertainment options today, including the last performance of “Side Show” at ArtsWest and Seattle Glee Clubs‘ annual “Olio Show” at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, both at 3 pm … Along with its fabled Sunday ribs, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) goes tropical with a Pineapple Cocktail Fest today … More in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
Need your car washed? Head to the West Seattle Eagles‘ south side parking lot before 3 pm – Pencil Me In For Kids will benefit, raising money for school supplies for kids in need (September gets ever closer) … look for the Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) VW Bug on California outside the entrance, balloons and all.
Also up and running till 3 pm – the Highland Park Sunday Market‘s third edition at 12th/Holden. More edibles this week, including the Full Tilt Ice Cream bike – we even spotted Full Tilt proprietor Justin Cline chatting with the Street Treats truck crew:
Among the other offerings – gorgeous cedar planters made by a Highland Park resident:
(He’s also stocking up the West Seattle Nursery Ice Cream Fest under way now till 4 pm, raising money for WestSide Baby and collecting diapers on Stuff the Bus day.) And Alki Cab Company‘s Kelly Merten is selling her jewelry as well as her books about raw food and raising vegetarian/vegan kids:
You can get raw food at a couple booths with fresh produce, by the way! The market’s in the Highland Park Improvement Club lot.
(WSB photo from July 11 Highland Park Sunday Market)
It’s in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, but in case you missed it – while you’re out and about tomorrow morning/afternoon (including, we hope, a stop at WestSide Baby‘s Stuff the Bus diaper drive at WS Farmers’ Market in The Junction), you’ll be able to visit the Highland Park Sunday Market, returning for its third go-round after a week off. The hours have now changed to 11 am-3 pm, and organizer Tiffany Silver-Brace sent word this week about some of what you’ll find:
Alki Cab Co., Street Treats, Jolie Blue’s soaps, TwoBraids glassware, household items by Clone Press, handcrafted cedar planter boxes and bird houses, Art Image Creations (kid-oriented art), photos by Corie Brooke, Rogue Family Farms fresh eggs, bread and veggies, pickled veggies from The Bootleg Canning Co., and more!
The HPSM is in the Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot at 12th/Holden (map).
While you’re at West Seattle Summer Fest, you can veer over to the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – under way till 2 pm as usual – where we found those lovely carrots. High season for flowers too:
A bit breezy today and certainly chillier than the past two days, so till the sun comes out, you might consider bringing a sweater. On our way to The Junction, we stopped at the second-ever Highland Park Sunday Market, also continuing till 2, with new additions this week:
That’s some of what’s being offered by the Street Treats truck – operator Diane’s family lives in West Seattle, so she’s virtually local. Also there today, a booth full of gorgeous produce:
The Highland Park market is at 12th/Holden, in the parking lot of HP Improvement Club.
Also look for this tent – where kids can join in creating art:
If you miss them this week – they’re weekly TFN, from hereon out.
Via its At Your Service website, Seattle Public Utilities announced on Friday that the newly buried reservoir in Highland Park – formally known as West Seattle Reservoir – is now officially “in service.” SPU had told WSB in May that the reservoir was being filled – it’s 30 million gallons, half the size of the old open one. The utility showed the media (and then-mayor Greg Nickels) last fall what it looks like underground; the 20-acre park that’s being created because of the undergrounding is now in the next design phase after another thumbs-up from the Seattle Design Commission (WSB coverage here).
As first reported here in our coverage of last month’s Highland Park Action Committee meeting, HP residents were particularly concerned about fireworks damage to the HP Elementary campus, and hoping to dissuade people from showing up to blow things up there. Illegal fireworks proliferated anyway, according to HP resident Deanie, who provided the brief video clip above – with the sights of illegal fireworks and the sound of what she describes as “an M-80 blowing up in a trash can” – and multiple explosions of that type “under the school building.” Meantime, so far, at least, no major problems (fires etc.) reported anywhere in West Seattle (here’s the archived 911 log from Sunday night, and here’s the in-progress Monday log) – though we’re not quite sure how to take this note from one local couple:
As WS residents and spectators to tonight’s local fireworks, I’d like to thank those responsible for the great fireworks over the west part of Alki and the North part of beach drive. We enjoyed the shows – BRAVO ! It made it another “Glorious Independence Day.” Could we make it an official thing ? We’ll be happy to kick in a few bucks.
ADDED 11:07 AM: Followup photos from Deanie. First, some of the trash/debris from the illegal fireworks in Highland Park. Second – Ellis Tingstad, cleanup hero, whom she says has been out sweeping up after the field-trashers:
(Photo added 3:34 pm)
Big fire response for an “automobile rescue” call at 8th and Roxbury (map). We’re on our way to find out more at the scene. Just heard on the scanner that three people were hurt. More to come. 3:18 PM: At the scene – the crash includes at least 2 vehicles, a truck and passenger car (as seen in photo since added) – someone has just been extricated from the car. Still trying to gauge the traffic effects, but for starters, 8th SW is inaccessible starting about a block north of Roxbury; westbound Roxbury is blocked off at 8th.
3:37 PM: We’re now told three people have been taken to the hospital and a fourth soon will be – two transported in medic units, two by private ambulance. Yellow tape is going up to facilitate the investigation, so this intersection will have traffic trouble for at least a few more hours. 3:47 PM: One lane is open in each direction. But the investigation team has just arrived and, as is the case with major investigations, will be busy for a while. We’re working now to see what more we can find out about the victims. EARLY SATURDAY NOTE: That information still hasn’t been made available. The investigation, meantime, continued into the 7 pm hour.
We’re at City Hall downtown, where the Seattle Design Commission has given its blessing to the West Seattle Reservoir/Westcrest Park project design shown at last Saturday’s community meeting. From the Parks Department, project manager Susanne Friedman was there, along with Parks’ Michael Shiosaki, and SiteWorkshop architect Mark Brands. Commission members expressed not only support but even excitement about some of its potential elements, particularly the possibility for much of the landscaping to be planted as “Garry Oak savannah” (above).
They also liked the proposal to pay tribute to the underground reservoir with a grid of squares echoing the columns beneath, as well as markers on its corners (explained in the screenshot above, taken from Saturday’s presentation). A few new bits of information: Friedman said they still have “some details to go back and vet with Seattle Public Utilities” regarding “load limits” atop the covered reservoir; Brands said Parks is talking with the Department of Neighborhoods regarding “alternative funding” for the orchard/community garden proposed as part of the project. He explained the offleash-dog-park expansion that drew the most questions and concerns Saturday; commission members thought the suggested multiple-gate scenario had promise for getting people between what will then be two separate areas for dog romping. West Seattle-residing member Brendan Connolly gave the project team kudos for recognizing the importance of the nearby West Duwamish Greenbelt forest, but suggested perhaps an even “stronger response,” like a loop trail that takes people into the forest and back out to the park, to tie the two together more closely. There was some concern about a lack of lighting; Brands explained they’d like to consider solar, but “its cost is prohibitive right now” – maybe there are future possibilities.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Design Commission will see the project once more; the Arts Commission is scheduled to take a look at that aspect of the project (we’re checking to see if it’s on the agenda for the group’s July meeting). And, as Friedman said on Saturday, a public open house will be scheduled in fall to show an updated design, before final construction plans are made.
With more than a month passing since the beating of a teenager in Highland Park came to light in startling TV-news stories, with claims of a racist motive, and no news of any arrests, people have continued to ask about the case’s status – we got another note just this morning. We’ve been checking with police periodically, and just talked again with Det. Mark Jamieson in the Seattle Police media unit. The short answer: It’s still an “active and ongoing investigation.” Longer answer: The DNA evidence is still being processed; the case files, Det. Jamieson told us, show that the detective who’s handling it has received an update that the lab is working on the analysis this week. He also says that the victim and his “custodial parent” – not the one who’s done media interviews along the way – have been getting updates from police, as is their primary responsibility as the investigation proceeds. Det. Jamieson says SPD understands community frustration and fears that there are dangerous people on the loose who might attack someone else, but all they can say for the record is that it’s “an ongoing investigation until it’s resolved.”
Just three days after the final design meeting for the new West Seattle Reservoir/Westcrest Park expansion, two updates tonight. First one goes with the video above, which was shared by Highland Park’s Deanie Schwarz, who explains:
At about four-thirty this morning, I was awakened by what sounded like giant chupacabra nails grating across a blackboard. I flew to my window, and what did I see? No chuppie, but the mammoth digger used for the deep pilings on the reservoir project.
The Mid-Mountain company, the behemoth’s owner, had till six AM to have the big digger out of the city limits. The trailer awaiting the big noisy tractor to sluggishly amble its way down a hill on Cloverdale was itself too lumbering and unwieldy to negotiate a loading location closer to the park. When the same trailer delivered the Big Digger to Westcrest two years ago to begin West Seattle’s own Big Dig, a bit of trouble ensued on that tiny hill wherein the trailer, to put it briefly, got kind of stuck. It was a problem the trailer driver and crew did not want to revisit, so today’s exit was on the flats of 9th Ave.
So, as the Highland Park neighborhood near Westcrest bid loud and amazing earthmovers adieu, the summer sun rose at dawn on a horizon, quiet, serene and awaiting a new era of a very lovely and much-improved park.
Speaking of said park …
NOTE #2: The newly unveiled design for the 20 added acres of parkland at the newly covered (and decreased-in-size) reservoir – shown in our story on Saturday’s community meeting – goes before the Seattle Design Commission this Thursday. The city-appointed, volunteer board reviews major projects like this, and is scheduled to hear at 10 am Thursday from project manager Susanne Friedman and landscape architect Mark Brands. The SDC meets in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall downtown (map), and the meeting is open to the public. P.S. We didn’t include this in Saturday’s report, but here’s the concept for the new parkland’s art project, unveiled by kinetic sculpture artist David Boyer at the meeting:
FIRST UPDATE, 10:02 AM: The sun is starting to triumph over the clouds at 12th/Holden (map), where the first-ever Highland Park Sunday Market is under way. Good turnout for something that’s brand-new and bound to grow – and some names you’ll likely recognize: Freshy’s Coffee is selling homemade soup, local belly-dancing Troupe Hipnotica is selling unique apparel (and no, it’s not dancing gear, though we’re sure you could dance in it; Kelly from Alki Cab Company is here selling jewelry and wind chimes.
Tiffany Silver-Brace (above), who hatched the market idea, is selling fresh bread (top photo), eggs from her chickens, sourdough starter, and herbs. Photos shortly. If you’ve never been to Highland Park, come out and have a look – this is all unfolding in the lot outside the historic Highland Park Improvement Club (just a couple blocks east of Zippy’s Giant Burgers, if that happens to be your Highland Park . We’re tabling too to cover the kickoff event “live” – come show your support for local vendors and to see the concept grow; the market continues till 1 pm. Dogs and kids welcome – this is pretty laid-back. More photos to come.
10:53 AM: Since the sun isn’t quite all the way through the clouds yet, the four flavors of soup brought by Amber from Freshy’s sound like a particularly good idea. Here’s the menu:
We just took a closer look at some of the arts and crafts – eklectopia is selling custom mugs and glasses, too:
And the table across from ours, with art plus the Troupe Hipnotica apparel (a flyer advertising their tribal-belly-dance instruction too):
11:34 AM: Steady stream of browsers/shoppers, people chatting … Fun to see folks we know and those we hadn’t met yet – like Colleen, who manages the rentals for HPIC (it’s available for events and parties beyond those the club itself and Highland Park Action Committee already own there) and admitted she doesn’t own a computer – but thinks about it from time to time! P.S. We mentioned Kelly from Alki Cab Company earlier – we have her photo, too:
If you haven’t heard of Alki Cab before – that’s cab as in pedicab – as seen on her stickers (a fast-rising classic to add to iconic West Seattle stickers like Easy Street Records, Luna Park Café and the Alki seagull):
You’ve still got more than an hour to get here and check it out; if you miss it, take note, the market will NOT be held next Sunday (the 4th of July) but edition #2 is planned for Sunday, July 11th.
12:45 PM: Very busy this past hour or so – including visitors from other neighborhoods – Justin from White Center-headquartered Full Tilt Ice Cream just came by. We’ve heard from some of the vendors that they’ve done well – again, considering it was the start. Here’s a photo we took within the past hour as noontime browsers shopped and mingled:
We’ll be talking with organizer Tiffany shortly for her thoughts on how it went. Keep an eye on the Highland Park Sunday Market’s Facebook page for updates on future installments.
(Photo by Jillian Lenox)
9 am-1 pm in the parking lot at Highland Park Improvement Club today, the Highland Park Sunday Market debuts, with arts, crafts, and fresh food. To see who’s confirmed to sell there, check out its Facebook page. (We’ll be there tabling too, to cover it “live.”) 1116 SW Holden; here’s a map … For the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm as always in The Junction, here’s the online Ripe ‘n’ Ready list … Something bugging you? Also in The Junction, you can drop by Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy (WSB sponsor) at 11 am and learn how to ‘Make Your Own All-Natural Bug Sprays’ … And this afternoon, 2-5 pm at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), it’s “Vinyl Countdown 2: A Live Rock ‘n’ Roll Auction,” to benefit Animals First Foundation – auction items include vintage vinyl, posters, books and music memorabilia.
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